Pyrenees - Form a group or join one?

[glenn2926]

Not surprised. I’ve been away with mates in the past that hunt out a McDs for lunch then eat pizza every night . These were the days in France when you could get a fabulous three course set menu for under €20.

We had a similar scenario in Germany a few years ago. We had been told of a great breakfast place by the river, buffet style German breakfast items. Two of the group went instead to Maccy Ds!!!
The breakfast place was fantastic, that good that I took my wife a couple of years ago and was just as good. A very strange attitude to travel some people.

 

[Arsey]

We had a similar scenario in Germany a few years ago. We had been told of a great breakfast place by the river, buffet style German breakfast items. Two of the group went instead to Maccy Ds!!!
The breakfast place was fantastic, that good that I took my wife a couple of years ago and was just as good. A very strange attitude to travel some people.

Just ask Wapping about TomatoGate

 

[stever1]

I must admit, being a gentleman of more robust proportions. I do enjoy my food, ( to much) although I’m a bit picky, I don’t do soft cheese or really hot spicy stuff.
But finding good native food is part of the pleasure of travelling.
Case in point.

https://www.booking.com/Share-5d5nsl

We came across this hotel when returning from Transylvania.
2 night stop, a la carte menu £40 inc bottle of good Prosecco. The food, and the hotel was great. That good we went back 10 days later and had another couple of nights in it so we could get the train to Venice.

 

[wessie]

Wessie hit the nail with his dislikes though I prpbably fall within his 'fuck-off' group as I do enjoy a smoke and I do enjoy good food!

probably should have qualified with "inconsiderate smokers" - we only have one smoker. She is considerate and goes for a little walk if she needs a fag between courses if we are dining al fresco.
Enjoying good food and a willingness to try local dishes is good. When we are 12 we have a pescatarian and a veggie so we choose places with options, although sometimes we split into smaller units as you can't always seat 12 and some might want a lighter meal than the 40 euro set menu.
It's those who want lunch in McDonalds and pizza for dinner in Jaca that I have contempt for!

 

[stever1]

Mind you, it’s funny how people view things. Marie and I stopped in a hotel in Banca one wet Saturday night. It’s only a small place with no other option than to eat at the hotel.
They serve a Local ‘basque’ menu which was both good and fairly cheap (2nd point being important to a tight yorky)
On nearby tables were a group of possibly north wales/ scousers, who moaned and moaned at the quality of the food.
Mainly they complained that the meat was not cooked.
Nothing wrong with it. It was just cooked in typical European style. IE, not overcooked as in the UK.

 

[Doc]

I have a regular touring group but we don't go away together so often now. Some are older, some have (great) grandchildren or are caring for elderly relatives. 5 of us went to Austria this year, we used to get 9 or more.
If I want to go away and none of the regulars are available, I go solo. I really enjoy this, especially now my joints and bladder mean stopping more frequently. I take days off the bike and enjoy a day wandering around a historic city. I'm off to Spain solo in May.
I think my days of joining a random group of strangers, only known from their online name and posting style are over. Fussy eaters, smokers, gropers, itemised bill types, sexist/racist comments to staff types and those who can't keep their politics to themselves can all fúck off!

Rant over. Good luck finding your people but don't rule out a solo tour.

No invite for me then.

 

[stever1]

No invite for me then.

Why ?
Are you back on the fags ?

 

[wessie]

Why ?
Are you back on the fags ?

you shouldn't make comments like that about Harley Riders. It's almost as bad as saying they are likely to be an accountant.

 

[Doc]

Why ?
Are you back on the fags ?

Not really. Occasional few when i go out for a few drinks.

 

[glenn2926]

probably should have qualified with "inconsiderate smokers" - we only have one smoker. She is considerate and goes for a little walk if she needs a fag between courses if we are dining al fresco.
Enjoying good food and a willingness to try local dishes is good. When we are 12 we have a pescatarian and a veggie so we choose places with options, although sometimes we split into smaller units as you can't always seat 12 and some might want a lighter meal than the 40 euro set menu.
It's those who want lunch in McDonalds and pizza for dinner in Jaca that I have contempt for!

I tend to class all the weird, fashionable diets together. Veggies, vegans etc. I don’t really take much notice of anyone with weird dietary habits.
Sort of like a vegan restaurant wouldn’t care about my diet.

 

[Decompressing]

I have a regular touring group but we don't go away together so often now. Some are older, some have (great) grandchildren or are caring for elderly relatives. 5 of us went to Austria this year, we used to get 9 or more.
If I want to go away and none of the regulars are available, I go solo. I really enjoy this, especially now my joints and bladder mean stopping more frequently. I take days off the bike and enjoy a day wandering around a historic city. I'm off to Spain solo in May.
I think my days of joining a random group of strangers, only known from their online name and posting style are over. Fussy eaters, smokers, gropers, itemised bill types, sexist/racist comments to staff types and those who can't keep their politics to themselves can all fúck off!

Rant over. Good luck finding your people but don't rule out a solo tour.

"Fussy eaters, smokers, gropers, itemised bill types, sexist/racist comments to staff types and those who can't keep their politics to themselves can all fúck off!"

So when's your next holiday with the Guardian Newspaper Motorcycle Club?

 

[Decompressing]

We had a similar scenario in Germany a few years ago. We had been told of a great breakfast place by the river, buffet style German breakfast items. Two of the group went instead to Maccy Ds!!!
The breakfast place was fantastic, that good that I took my wife a couple of years ago and was just as good. A very strange attitude to travel some people.

I know exactly what you mean. Now, I like a Macy D's as much as the next person but there's little else that make me inwardly groan on Europe bike holidays than when all people can think of is where to get a Big Mac. Uncultured and/or cheapskates.

 

[glenn2926]

I tend to class all the weird, fashionable diets together. Veggies, vegans etc. I don’t really take much notice of anyone with weird dietary habits.
Sort of like a vegan restaurant wouldn’t care about my diet.

Just realised that this didn’t really have any context. So to add, this is when booking restaurants, hotels etc on trips. We do have a veggie/vegan lad but he seems to always find something to eat off the menu.

 

[wessie]

"Fussy eaters, smokers, gropers, itemised bill types, sexist/racist comments to staff types and those who can't keep their politics to themselves can all fúck off!"

So when's your next holiday with the Guardian Newspaper Motorcycle Club?

would you like to identify how many of these characteristics overlap in your personal Venn diagram?

 

[wessie]

Just realised that this didn’t really have any context. So to add, this is when booking restaurants, hotels etc on trips. We do have a veggie/vegan lad but he seems to always find something to eat off the menu.

indeed, it is relatively easy to accommodate most food preferences with a bit of planning. We like to wrap up the riding around 4pm, shower and change then out for a few beers whilst checking out menus if in a town. We call it stumble touring. If in a hotel on half board, they are generally able to knock up a plate of canned asparagus or Lidl Quiche with a bit of notice when checking in. In France, restaurants from their former colonies in N.Africa & Vietnam are pretty good for a variety to suit many tastes. I count these as "local" cuisine.

The veggie needs to be robust enough to dine with carnivores as part of the reciprocity. The evangelical vegan might be dining alone.

 

[glenn2926]

indeed, it is relatively easy to accommodate most food preferences with a bit of planning. We like to wrap up the riding around 4pm, shower and change then out for a few beers whilst checking out menus if in a town. We call it stumble touring. If in a hotel on half board, they are generally able to knock up a plate of canned asparagus or Lidl Quiche with a bit of notice when checking in. In France, restaurants from their former colonies in N.Africa & Vietnam are pretty good for a variety to suit many tastes. I count these as "local" cuisine.

The veggie needs to be robust enough to dine with carnivores as part of the reciprocity. The evangelical vegan might be dining alone.

Our vegan (everyone should have one as a pet) always seems to be ok with which ever restaurant or hotel we’re using. He’s pretty easy going, even has leather bike boots but uses the excuse that he bought them before he became vegan??? .
According to one of the lads the vegan is only vegan as regards things going in him not things going on him. .

 

[Decompressing]

would you like to identify how many of these characteristics overlap in your personal Venn diagram?

not to you as its none of your business

 

[theoneandonly]

I am looking for a trip to the Pyrenees at end June/early July. Anyone know of one or interested in making up a small group? My thaughts are to cross from Portsmouth,ride through France then back either by riding back or ferry from Spain.

go on your own .
stop when you want
eat when you want
piss when you want
kip when you want
kip where you want
plus you are more likely to engage with the locals if solo or they with you
a group tends to push outsiders away.

Hi my name is ....billy ( no mates )

 

[Traffic893]

Somebody should set up www.eggNchips.com and map out where all the needy can get their daily dose of crap .
Obviously with BMSBIFP

View attachment 367230

I thought we were back on Gregg Wallace for a minute. Egg on face, had his chips etc.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

You laugh, but his biggest moan was 2 fold. No English brekky, and apparently ‘shite’ fish and chips.
This was at a hotel on the shores of the Adriatic which had the most fabulous selection of sea food.
I had red snapper with saffron rice and roast veg. Absolutely wonderful.

Didn't your mate fancy that?